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(Updated) AZ Shooting Survivor Arrested for Death Threat Against Tea Party Leader

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J. Eric Fuller

J. Eric Fuller, a survivor of last weekend’s shooting massacre in Tucson, gained national notoriety this week after claiming shooter Jared Lee Loughner got conservatives Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin their “first target.” The Blaze also brought you the story of Trent Humphries, a Tucson-area tea party leader who was warned by police to “stay away from public places” as his organization was being targeted with threats following the shooting.

On Saturday morning, Fuller and Humphries met during a town hall-style event hosted by ABC’s Christianne Amanpour that featured family members of victims, Tucson citizens and community leaders. Toward the end of the meeting, local news reports that Fuller objected to comments made by Humphries and Arizona state Rep. Terri Proud, a Republican. In response, Fuller took a photo of Humphries and told him, “You’re dead.”‘

Pima County police deputies immediately escorted Fuller from the room. The Sheriff’s spokesman, Jason Ogan, confirmed Saturday afternoon that Fuller has been charged with threats & intimidation and disorderly conduct.

The ABC News town hall meeting, dubbed “After the Tragedy: An American Conversation Continued,” is set to air on Sunday morning, but it was not clear whether Fuller’s comments would be included in the final broadcast.

Also in attendance for the town hall meeting were Mayor Bob Walkup, Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva, and former Congressman Jim Kolbe.

h/t Fox News

Update: ABC News is reporting that as sheriff’s deputies escorted Fuller from the forum, he could be heard screaming, “What’s the matter–with you–whores!” Additionally, ABC notes that Fuller was taken to a nearby mental health facility.

Update II: A Pima County Sheriff’s spokesman has confirmed that Fuller was “involuntarily” admitted to a mental health treatment facility Saturday and will be held there until the hospital determines his release. If Humphries decides not to press charges, the charges will be dropped, Deputy Jason Ogan told KNXV in Phoenix.

In the days since last week’s shooting, Fuller has been spotted around town, visiting with reporters at the scene of the crime. Fuller also reportedly attempted to visit the parents of Jared Lee Loughner, showing up unannounced at their home on Friday. Though the Loughners were not home, Fuller took some time to speak to a local news crew:

Update III: ABC News briefly touched on Fuller’s threat Saturday evening during a plug for Sunday morning’s town hall discussion broadcast. For some reason, however, ABC failed to mention the threat was made against tea party leader Trent Humphries, simply noting that Fuller had been charged with a misdemeanor (h/t Newsbusters):